Veterinarian Salary in Amherst, MA: $141,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Amherst, MA earns a median $141,133/year (≈ $67.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $130,076 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Amherst, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $141,133, slightly above the national median of $137,334, reflecting the local demand for skilled veterinary professionals. The salary range for this role extends from $81,857 at the 10th percentile to $218,755 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in earnings based on factors such as experience and specialization. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The thriving veterinary job market in Amherst suggests a competitive environment, making it an attractive location for both current practitioners and new graduates in search of opportunities.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($142,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,857 | $39.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,942 | $55.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,133 | $67.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,582 | $84.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,755 | $105.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,898 (2026 est.). At $141,133, the local median is 2.77% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Veterinarian Pay Compares
Amherst median: $141,133/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $142,414 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.77% more |
Veterinarians in Amherst, MA earn a median of $141,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $142,414.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,133 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,076 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,101
2025 BLS Actual
$133,699
2026 Current Est.
$141,133
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,101 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,996 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,980 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $98,101 (2019) to $133,699 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,879 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,857 – $115,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,942 – $141,133 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,133 – $175,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,582 – $218,755 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Amherst
The local employment landscape includes just six veterinarians, yet the cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This reality affects the take-home purchasing power of veterinarians in the area. Employers such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which account for approximately 25% of the market, typically offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. The disparity in pay can be attributed to the varying levels of specialty board certification, the production-based compensation model, and the financial structures of corporate versus independent practices. New graduates entering the workforce should consider pursuing specialties or roles within larger corporate environments, where sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 are currently available, presenting lucrative pathways for maximizing veterinarian pay in Amherst, MA.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $133,699 for veterinariansin the Amherst metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Amherst is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov